About Dr. David Guralnick

David Guralnick envisions a new approach to education and workplace learning. His vision integrates progressive learning theory, advanced technology, and creative, entertaining storytelling to create learning experiences that help people learn to think critically, reflect, and make thoughtful decisions. David holds a Ph.D. from Northwestern University, where his work synthesized concepts from the fields of computer science and artificial intelligence, instructional design, and cognitive psychology. Over the past 30 years, he has designed and evaluated a variety of simulation-based training applications, performance support systems, online courses, mobile applications, and authoring tools for corporate, non-profit, and university audiences.

David holds a Ph.D. in computer science from Northwestern University, where his work synthesized concepts from the fields of computer science/artificial intelligence, instructional design, and cognitive psychology. Over the course of his thirty years in online learning, he has designed and developed simulation-based training applications, electronic performance-support systems, and specialized authoring tools which allow non-technical people, such as writers and trainers, to build e-learning sites.

Among David’s most notable achievements are the creation of the first learn-by-doing simulation for corporate training purposes and the first authoring tool for a non-technical audience that was specific to e-learning. He has been the recipient of over 200 e-learning design awards, and his work has been featured in Wired magazine, the Wall Street Journal, and Training magazine (as an Editor's Choice). He has been a regular speaker at both industry and academic events since 1991. He is also the author of the recent book How Organizations Can Make the Most of Online Learning.

David is the current President and CEO of Kaleidoscope Learning. He is also the current president of the International E-Learning Association; founder and chair of The Learning Ideas Conference; Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal on Advanced Corporate Learning; Chair of the International E-Learning Awards; and an Adjunct Professor at Columbia University.

About Agalia Ardyasa

Agalia Ardyasa, originally from Jakarta, Indonesia, graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2021 with a degree in Economics and Mathematics and a minor in Business. After graduation, she joined Microsoft as a Customer Success Account Manager, managing strategic manufacturing clients to drive the adoption and effective use of Microsoft technologies. Beyond her professional career, Agalia co-founded BecomeMore Indonesia, a Jakarta-based non-profit providing self-development opportunities for middle and high school students to bridge educational disparities nationwide. She is also a third-generation family business owner of a leading K-12 private and international education institution in Jakarta, which has over 21 years of experience and serves over 1,700 students across three campuses.

About Jie Chen

Jie Chen is an accomplished instructional designer who is passionate about creating engaging and effective learning experiences. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania's Learning Sciences and Technologies program, Jie combines deep expertise in Learning Experience Design with a strong foundation in digital media.

With professional experience spanning the electric vehicle industry, Jie has contributed to organizations such as Tesla and Fisker, where she played a key role in designing instructional programs to support innovation and growth. Currently, Jie is leveraging her skills at Amazon, focusing on Amazon Logistics (AMZL). Here, Jie designs impactful learning solutions that empower teams and drive operational excellence in one of the world's most dynamic and fast-paced environments.

Jie’s diverse experience reflects a commitment to crafting learning experiences that bridge technology and human potential, making them a sought-after voice in the learning and development community.

About Michael Russo

Michael Russo is a Software Verification Engineer at ENSCO Avionics, based in Brooklyn, NY. With expertise in electrical and computer engineering, Michael Russo earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering in 2020 and a Master of Science in Computer Engineering in 2022, both from NYU Tandon School of Engineering.

About Dr. David Guralnick

David Guralnick envisions a new approach to education and workplace learning. His vision integrates progressive learning theory, advanced technology, and creative, entertaining storytelling to create learning experiences that help people learn to think critically, reflect, and make thoughtful decisions. David holds a Ph.D. from Northwestern University, where his work synthesized concepts from the fields of computer science and artificial intelligence, instructional design, and cognitive psychology. Over the past 30 years, he has designed and evaluated a variety of simulation-based training applications, performance support systems, online courses, mobile applications, and authoring tools for corporate, non-profit, and university audiences.

David holds a Ph.D. in computer science from Northwestern University, where his work synthesized concepts from the fields of computer science/artificial intelligence, instructional design, and cognitive psychology. Over the course of his thirty years in online learning, he has designed and developed simulation-based training applications, electronic performance-support systems, and specialized authoring tools which allow non-technical people, such as writers and trainers, to build e-learning sites.

Among David’s most notable achievements are the creation of the first learn-by-doing simulation for corporate training purposes and the first authoring tool for a non-technical audience that was specific to e-learning. He has been the recipient of over 200 e-learning design awards, and his work has been featured in Wired magazine, the Wall Street Journal, and Training magazine (as an Editor's Choice). He has been a regular speaker at both industry and academic events since 1991. He is also the author of the recent book How Organizations Can Make the Most of Online Learning.

David is the current President and CEO of Kaleidoscope Learning. He is also the current president of the International E-Learning Association; founder and chair of The Learning Ideas Conference; Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal on Advanced Corporate Learning; Chair of the International E-Learning Awards; and an Adjunct Professor at Columbia University.

About Rosie Shen

Rosie serves as a Career Coordinator at Engineering Career Services, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she has been advancing student career development since September 2022. In her role, she empowers students through individualized coaching, teaching a first-year career development course, and leading the International Student Job Search Team program. Rosie is passionate about supporting diverse student populations by designing innovative career education initiatives and fostering meaningful connections between students and professional opportunities.

With a background in engineering and education, Rosie brings a unique interdisciplinary perspective to her work. She holds a B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from Shanghai Jiao Tong University and an M.S.Ed. in Human Development from the University of Pennsylvania. Her expertise lies in bridging the gap between technical education and career readiness, leveraging her own global experiences to inspire students to navigate their career paths with confidence.